Much Game Design and Design Change Goes Against Its Appeal

Spoonwood · 2020-03-23 16:41:14

When I played OHOL after having played Oxygen Not Included for a while, I wondered why I was playing OHOL instead of ONI. The main reason was because in OHOL you directly control one character, instead of trying to indirectly control multiple characters and *watching* what they do.

But, this game discourages player control in multiple ways and has done so for a long time.

Choosing how one starts the game has always been limited at best.

Changes in the game haven't been about trying to increase player's enjoyment of what they can control, but instead some stupid notion of 'challenge for its own sake'.

Far too many people starting as babies who can't do much, has also always been a serious mistake of the game.

Lineages dying out due to updates has also always been a serious mistake of the game, since it makes clear that the designer's control is in conflict with the player's trying to control their fate.

Also, restrictions of various sorts.

What increases players ability to control what they can do? Generally speaking more things that they can do in a game, like craftable objects, or ways to change/affect environments or return to environments.

Last edited by Spoonwood (2020-03-23 16:42:44)

The_Anabaptist · 2020-03-24 01:39:20

Spoonwood wrote:

Far too many people starting as babies who can't do much, has also always been a serious mistake of the game.

I'm now imagining an OHOL where you start the game as an old man/woman, born to a middle aged mom. You have a full compliment of tool knowledge (maybe predefined for a baker, a smith, a whatever (not totally random)) and as you age backwards, you unlearn them. Eventually you become so young and unlearned that you have to be cared for by others until you disappear?

The_Anabaptist

pein · 2020-03-24 01:43:48

and males feed the females with protein shots for gender equality

and tentacles to stop griefers

Spoonwood · 2020-03-24 02:04:49

The_Anabaptist wrote:

I'm now imagining an OHOL where you start the game as an old man/woman, born to a middle aged mom.

I was thinking that Adams could start at 14, like Eves in principle, or at age 10.

*reads to the end of your comment and laughs*. That was an amusing thought. Maybe some mysterious radiation bug caused some people to have signs of reverse aging. Who knows what life would be like if we reincarnated anyways?

MrGold · 2020-03-24 02:34:30

Spoonwood wrote:

The_Anabaptist wrote:
I'm now imagining an OHOL where you start the game as an old man/woman, born to a middle aged mom.
I was thinking that Adams could start at 14, like Eves in principle, or at age 10.
*reads to the end of your comment and laughs*. That was an amusing thought. Maybe some mysterious radiation bug caused some people to have signs of reverse aging. Who knows what life would be like if we reincarnated anyways?

And they spawn as a team next to each other i kinda like that idea of not being alone you could work as a team and he is part of your lineage as the father

Spoonwood · 2020-03-24 02:57:38

MrGold wrote:

Spoonwood wrote:
The_Anabaptist wrote:
I'm now imagining an OHOL where you start the game as an old man/woman, born to a middle aged mom.
I was thinking that Adams could start at 14, like Eves in principle, or at age 10.
*reads to the end of your comment and laughs*. That was an amusing thought. Maybe some mysterious radiation bug caused some people to have signs of reverse aging. Who knows what life would be like if we reincarnated anyways?
And they spawn as a team next to each other i kinda like that idea of not being alone you could work as a team and he is part of your lineage as the father

Most of the time it's random players joining, so the Adam might have to spawn somewhat later than the Eve in the same spot as the Eve... though maybe not much later, as the phenomenon of getting a child immediately after spawning as an Eve happens.

Also, twinning resulting in one player as Adam and one player as Eve probably could work fine and be appealing to people.

One Hour One Life Forums

#1 2020-03-23 16:41:14

Much Game Design and Design Change Goes Against Its Appeal

#2 2020-03-24 01:39:20

Re: Much Game Design and Design Change Goes Against Its Appeal

#3 2020-03-24 01:43:48

Re: Much Game Design and Design Change Goes Against Its Appeal

#4 2020-03-24 02:04:49

Re: Much Game Design and Design Change Goes Against Its Appeal

#5 2020-03-24 02:34:30

Re: Much Game Design and Design Change Goes Against Its Appeal

#6 2020-03-24 02:57:38

Re: Much Game Design and Design Change Goes Against Its Appeal

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